“Excellent,” the duchess said under her breath.
Kate waited until she was certain Selina had departed. Then she giggled softly. “Did you see her reaction? She was positively irate that I would force her to go to a ball.”
Her mother laughed too as she placed her teacup down. “You had better be right about those two.”
“Mother, this is the first time in years I’ve seen Colin smile, really smile. Not that fake one he gives people to be sociable. I even heard him laugh. He loves her whether he realizes it or not yet. But he will.”
“I have to admit, he does seem different.”
“And getting Selina out to a small ball in the country will help her see that she can do this. She might never want to attend the Season but over time she will gain some confidence.”
Her mother nodded. “True, but your brother needs to make an effort to get her into Society. If we paint her as the daughter of a country squire, she will slowly be accepted. But under no circumstances can anyone discover her true background.”
“Do you think anyone would know her?”
“The only two I can think of would be Hartsfield and Middleton.”
Kate sipped her tea. “Yes, but they are his friends. I believe they would support him when he marries her.”
“If he marries her. He may still let convention decide his life,” her mother replied.
“I know he loves her. I have seen the way they look at each other when they think no one is watching.”
“True but that might just be lust.”
Kate shook her head. “It’s love.”
Her mother released a long breath. “I do hope you’re right. That boy needs to love again.”
Colin waited for Selina outside by the horses. He couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous. After all, he’d been home for a month and still hadn’t greeted his tenants. One more thing for them to hold against him.
His lips turned upward as she walked across the grass. Her slender hips swayed under the yellow muslin dress. His smile turned into a large grin as he noticed her beautiful blond hair was put up into a loose chignon. Tendrils blew across her heart-shaped face. His heartbeat increased the nearer she came.
“Are you ready?” she asked once she’d reached him.
“Not really,” he admitted.
“They will be pleased to meet you.”
He assisted her onto the mare and then climbed on his horse. “If you say so. I am not quite certain they shall all be happy to see me again.”
They started at a slow trot. “You might be surprised. The key to getting to know your tenants is listening. Put away your fears and just hear what they are saying. Most of their issues are with the upkeep of their homes.”
If their homes were anything like his own, he could understand their irritation with him. He would have to talk to his steward and get the needed repairs done on the tenants’ homes to appease them.
They arrived at the Pattersons’ home first. Colin looked up at the house in the daylight and could see the repairs needed on the thatched roof. After he helped Selina down, they walked toward the house. Little Mary opened the door before they reached it and ran toward him. She launched herself into his arms.
“Thank you,” she said as her chubby arms latched around his neck.
Surprised at the warmth suffusing him, he held the little girl tight against his chest. “What is this about?”
Mary pulled back and looked at him. “Davie said you saved Miss Molly.”
“Miss Molly?”
“My doll,” she said with a giggle.
“Mary, you are getting to be such a big girl,” Selina said. “It’s almost your birthday, isn’t it?”
Mary’s brown eyes sparkled. She lifted her hand and put up four fingers. “Four.”
“Very good,” Colin remarked. Slowly, he put her down and instantly missed her.
“Is Davie at home?” Selina asked.
Mary nodded. “He’s in bed. Mama told him not to move.”
Colin could only imagine the pain that caused the boy. Nothing would stop him from getting outside when he was a lad. Mary took his hand and led him inside.
“Mama, he’s here.”
“Who is here—” Mrs. Patterson stopped and curtsied. “Your Grace.”
“Mrs. Patterson,” he said with a nod. “How is Davie this morning?”
“He’s mad that I won’t let him out of bed.”
“I’ll go take a look at him,” Selina said and then left the room.
“Can I get you some tea, Your Grace?”
Even though he didn’t want tea, he didn’t wish to insult the woman. “Yes, that would be lovely.”
“Please sit down,” Mrs. Patterson said as she put the kettle on to boil.
As soon as he sat, Mary clamored up on his lap. She stuck her thumb in her mouth and rested her head against his chest. He smiled down at the little cherub, again wondering what it would feel like to have his own child sitting on his lap.
“Looks like you made a new friend, Your Grace.”
“She told me Davie admitted the truth.”
Mrs. Patterson pulled out teacups as she nodded. “She knew Davie didn’t get the doll when he fell out. She’s a right smart girl. She knew he couldn’t get it with his arm in a sling.”
“Mrs. Patterson, what do you need around here?”
She glanced back at him as she poured the hot water. “What do you mean, Your Grace?”
“I know your husband died. I’m just wondering what type of help you need around the house. Is the roof leaking? Do you need a footman to come by and help you with any repairs?”
She blinked furiously. “My roof started leaking this spring after a windstorm.”
“I shall get a man to come by and fix it.”
She placed a teacup in front of him. “Bless you, Your Grace.”
“What else do you need?”
“Nothing,” she replied, staring into her cup.
“Why, Mrs. Patterson, I do believe you are holding something back.”
She wiped away a tear. “Your Grace, I love it here. My children are so happy . . .”
“But . . . ?”
“I have to leave. The little bit I earn from sewing won’t pay for what I need. I have a brother in Suffolk who will take us in.”
Colin could tell from the quivering tone of her voice that there was more going on than just her leaving. He wished Selina would return. She would be able to get Mrs. Patterson to talk about it. Or perhaps, he could try.
“Why don’t you want to live with your brother?”
“He’s a terrible man, Your Grace. I fear he may do . . . unnatural things to my babies.” She continued to stare into her tea.
Colin closed his eyes for a long moment. There was no chance he would let this woman take her children to her brother’s home. “Mrs. Patterson, would you consider working up at the manor house for me?”
She looked up. “What do you mean?”
He laughed softly. “My home is in disrepair. Most of my servants are twice your age. I need to start bringing in some younger servants so the older ones may think about retiring.”
“You want me to go into service?”
“Yes, but you would be able to keep your house here and come home every night.”
“I can cook, sir.”
Colin smiled. “Then I will speak with Mrs. Roberts.”
“I know she would appreciate the help, Your Grace,” Selina said from the bottom step. “Her legs are bothering her more and more every day.”
“Will you think about it, Mrs. Patterson?” Colin asked as Mary stirred on his lap.
The woman smiled. “There is nothing to think about, Your Grace. I would be honored to go into service in your household.”
“Excellent.” He took one last sip of tea. “I might need some help with this,” he said, nodding to the little girl on his lap.
Selina laughed and walked over to Mary. Slowly, she picked up the girl and hande
d her to Mrs. Patterson. “Davie is doing just fine other than his petulance. Give him another day in bed and then let him slowly get up and do things. But not too much at first.”
“Thank you, Selina.”
“We must go now. We have a few more tenants to visit.” Selina kissed Mary’s forehead.
“Of course,” Mrs. Patterson replied and then walked them to the door. “When would you like me to start at the house?”
“Next Monday would be fine,” Colin replied. Now he just had to hope he hadn’t stepped on Mrs. Roberts’s toes. She might have wanted to speak with Mrs. Patterson first to make sure they would work well together.
“I will be there.”
He and Selina walked to their horses. After he helped her up, she stared down at him with admiration in her green eyes.
“That was the most thoughtful thing you could have done for her.”
He shrugged, knowing if he hadn’t been absent for eight years, he might have known of Mrs. Patterson’s troubles immediately. He had duty to come here and take care of his tenants. There would be no more wallowing in self-pity. Selina had shown him that life goes on . . . and he could too.
Chapter 19
Selina walked from the stables tired after a long morning of tenant visits with Colin. Every day for the past week they had been greeting the tenants together. Then every afternoon she had spent learning new dance steps with Kate. Selina wanted nothing more than to lie down and take a nap. But now she had to be fitted for a gown for a ball that she had no business attending.
No one would take her for Kate’s paid companion. For some reason, Kate wanted her there but Selina doubted it was just as a companion. She wondered briefly if Kate was trying to help her find a husband as a way of thanking her after the miscarriage. Or even more unthinkable, Kate might believe Colin would be a perfect husband for her.
That was a mad idea, indeed.
Kate would know that Selina wasn’t fit to become a duchess. It was laughable to think Colin would even want her to be his wife. She didn’t think he had changed his mind about marriage and children at this point.
Even if he did look more handsome than she had ever seen when he had Mary on his lap last week. There was something about a man holding a child that touched her heart completely.
Colin cleared his throat and then clasped her elbow. “Come with me for a moment.”
He led her to the reflecting pond. They both sat on the edge. She looked over at his windblown hair and was tempted to push the black hairs out of his face.
“Thank you,” he said softly and then kissed her hand.
“For what?”
“Showing me what I needed to do with my tenants. I feel horrible about how they’ve been neglected for the past eight years.”
She smiled. “Good. I’m glad you have seen what needs to be done. Now, will you act upon it?”
He nodded and kissed her hand again. “I plan on speaking with my steward tomorrow. I want money allocated to fix the cottages. If the tenants need something, I want them to go to Mr. Hughes and understand that he will act immediately.”
“Thank you,” she whispered, touched by his words. She never expected he would react this way. All she’d wanted him to do was meet the people who lived and worked his land. “I need to go now.”
“Where are you off to?”
“Your sister wants to speak with me.” She had no idea why she didn’t mention the ball. Perhaps it was because she didn’t want to see his reaction. He would probably ridicule her for going.
“Very well, I will see you at dinner then.” He rose and held out a hand to her.
“I do believe it’s time I returned to Mrs. Featherstone’s home. I have spent an extra week here only to please Kate. And she no longer needs me.”
“No,” he said quickly. “Stay here.”
“I do not belong.” And staying would mean returning to his bed again. While she wanted that desperately, she knew making love with him was only an illusion. One she must stop. She’d been able to avoid him the past few days by staying close to Kate. But she could sense his frustration rising. He wanted her again . . . and she was weakening.
“We will discuss this later.”
She nodded. “If you wish.”
She walked back to the house and up to her room on the third floor. She had thirty minutes before she was supposed to meet with Kate. She fell to the bed and stared at the white ceiling.
Being with Colin the last week had left an impact on her that she’d never expected. He touched her heart when he let little Mary on his lap and when he offered Mrs. Patterson a position. There were several times during the day that she would catch him staring at her. And what she saw in his eyes frightened her—admiration, desire, and quite possibly love.
Could the Duke of Northrop be in love with her?
Could she be in love with him?
The second question was far too easy to answer. Yes. Somehow, the arrogant man had gotten under her skin and deep into her heart. And he could never find out that she loved him.
Today she had realized the truth about him. The man was far more softhearted than she’d thought. She wasn’t sure why it surprised her. This was the same man who hadn’t been with another woman for eight years. He had loved his first wife so deeply that he’d never imagined wanting to be with another.
But he had been with Selina.
He’d told her he desired her even more than his late wife. And that led her back to her first question. Could he be in love with her? She was starting to believe it true.
If that was the case, she had to leave. He would hate her if he ever discovered the truth. No matter how he felt about her, the secret she had kept from him would destroy any chance of love for them.
The ball was in a few days. As soon as it was over, she would leave. Or at least pretend to return to Mrs. Featherstone’s. Then once he left, she could go back to her cottage and try to forget him. She wondered if that would ever be possible. As long as she lived on the estate, she would be reminded of him.
She brushed a tear off her cheek.
She glanced over at the clock and then quickly changed into her lavender dress. The first fitting for her gown was in five minutes. Perhaps Kate would give some indication why she felt it necessary for Selina to attend this ball. If not, then she would corner her later and demand the truth.
After checking her appearance in the mirror, she paused. Neither Kate nor her mother had told her where to meet them. She shrugged and decided to try Kate’s room first.
She raced down the servants’ staircase to the second floor. She rapped on Kate’s door.
“Come in,” Kate’s voice called from inside the room.
Selina opened the door and then smiled. Kate stood on a small stool as her maid finished a few touches on the beautiful gold gown.
“Kate, you look so beautiful.”
“Thank you. In another minute, you will be next.” She giggled. “I found the most perfect gown for you.”
The door to the bedchamber opened and the duchess walked inside. She nodded her approval. “That is beautiful.” She strolled closer. “Although, I dare say a bit immodest. Perhaps a bit of fichu at the bosom.”
“I am almost a married woman, Mother.”
“You should have already been married,” the duchess muttered.
“I will be married in no time at all. I might as well enjoy a ball or two before that happens,” Kate retorted.
“Very well, where is the dress for Selina?”
Kate pointed to the linen press. “The sage-colored one. It will match her eyes.”
Selina sat in the tapestry chair by the window feeling more uncomfortable by the minute. Perhaps she could make some excuse. She started to force a cough just as the duchess turned with the most beautiful gown Selina had ever seen. That masterpiece could not be for her to wear.
The duchess held it up. “What do you think, Selina?”
The green silk dress had silver thread shot
through it, which made it catch the rays of sunlight filtering inside. With candlelight, the gown would shimmer. The bodice had cap sleeves hemmed with ivory lace. “It’s more beautiful than anything I’ve ever seen,” she whispered.
“Excellent,” Kate said. “Go try it on. I’m done now.”
Even knowing she shouldn’t, Selina couldn’t help herself from trying on the dress. She went behind the screen and a maid assisted her with her clothing. The silk dress caressed her skin as the maid buttoned up the back.
“All set,” she said.
Selina walked around the screen and both women gasped. She turned and stared at her reflection in the mirror. “I look like . . .”
“A duchess,” said Kate with a grin.
“It is so beautiful.” Selina held out the skirt and then twirled.
“Now let Sally check the fitting.” Kate helped Selina up on the stool.
For the first time, Selina looked at the gown in a critical manner. It fit her almost perfectly. As if it had been made for her. But that wasn’t possible.
Sally checked the fitting and nodded. “Perfect. I just need to hem it.”
“I am a bit taller than she is, Sally,” Kate commented.
Hardly a bit, Selina thought. Kate was several inches taller and this dress only needed to be an inch or two shorter. Not to mention the most obvious difference, Kate was larger in the bosom than Selina. These two ladies were definitely up to something. Instead of confronting them now, she would wait until she could get Kate alone.
Of course, that was an impossibility. As soon as they had finished the fitting, the two ladies whisked her off for dancing lessons. They had even brought in a dance instructor from town today.
Mr. Bryant taught her several country dances and even the scandalous waltz, although the duchess frowned the entire time he danced with Selina. She was certain she would never remember them all.
“I shall be back tomorrow at four,” he said as he packed up his music. “We will review the dances we learned today and maybe have time for a few more.”
“More?”
“A lady must know all the current dances,” the duchess interjected.
“Yes, a ball will have many different sets. You must be prepared to dance them all.” Mr. Bryant added.
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